Sanofi's Consumer Healthcare Division Chattem Announces NasacortA® Allergy 24HR Nasal Spray Now Available Without A Prescription In The U.S.

First and only medicine in its class approved for over-the-counter use that provides 24 hour relief of the full range of nasal allergy symptoms including nasal congestion

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and its U.S. consumer healthcare division Chattem announced today that Nasacort ® Allergy 24HR Nasal Spray is now available over-the-counter (OTC) in the U.S. to relieve the full range of seasonal and year-round nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Nasacort Allergy 24HR is the first and only medicine in its class to be available at full prescription strength without the need for a prescription.

"Now that Nasacort Allergy 24HR is available over-the-counter, the millions of people who suffer from seasonal and year-round allergies have easier access to the gold standard treatment for nasal allergy symptoms," said Zan Guerry, Chief Executive Officer, Chattem .

More than 60 million Americans suffer from seasonal and year-round hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies. Symptoms of nasal allergies, which include sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose and nasal congestion, can lead to a major disruption in the quality of life for both adults and children. Nasal allergies can interfere with sleep, outdoor activities, and for children, their performance in school.

Nasacort is part of the most effective class of medicine for the treatment of hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies, and the only medicine in this class available OTC. It works differently than other over-the-counter treatments to relieve the full range of nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, by stopping more of the chemical responses that cause those symptoms.